Doctrine and Duties

• Doctrine

The priesthood is the eternal power and authority of God. The two divisions of the priesthood are the Melchizedek and the Aaronic (D&C 107:1). Young men 12 to 18 years of age, and older men who are new converts, are ordained to offices in the Aaronic Priesthood.

God gives priesthood authority to worthy male members of the Church so they can act in His name for the salvation of the human family. It is the priesthood authority by which John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus Christ, teaching faith, repentance, and baptism for the remission of sins (Matthew 3:1-17; Mark 1:1-11). Aaronic Priesthood authority includes the ministering of angels and the preparatory gospel, which is the gospel of repentance, baptism, and the remission of sins, and the administering of outward ordinances (D&C 84:26-27; 13:1; 107:14, 20).

• Priesthood keys

The exercise of priesthood authority is governed by those who hold its keys (see D&C 65:2; 124:123). These keys are the right to preside over and direct the Church within a jurisdiction.

The Lord Jesus Christ holds all the keys of the priesthood. He has given His Apostles the keys that are necessary for governing His Church. Only the senior Apostle, the President of the Church, may use (or authorize another person to use) these keys for governing the entire Church (see D&C 43:1-4; 81:2; 132:7).

The President of the Church authorizes presidents of temples, missions, stakes, and districts; bishops and branch presidents; and quorum presidents to hold the priesthood keys they need to preside. A person who serves in one of these positions holds the keys only until he is released. Counselors do not receive keys, but they do receive delegated authority by calling and assignment.

No priesthood keys exist on earth except with the officers of the Church.

• Offices and Duties of the Aaronic Priesthood

Priesthood offices are divisions of authority with different rights and responsibilities of service. Offices in the Aaronic Priesthood are deacon, teacher, priest, and bishop. The bishop oversees ordinations to these offices.

• Deacon

Worthy brethren may be ordained deacons when they are at least 12 years old. A deacon follows counsel, sets a good example, and may (1) pass the sacrament, (2) collect fast offerings, (3) care for the poor and needy, (4) be a standing minister appointed to "watch over the church" (D&C 84:111), (5) assist the bishopric, (6) serve as a messenger, (7) participate in quorum instruction, (8) serve in quorum leadership positions, (9) fellowship quorum members and other young men, (10) be baptized and confirmed for the dead, (11) speak in meetings, (12) share the gospel, (13) bear testimony, and (14) care for the meetinghouse and grounds.

• Teacher

Worthy brethren may be ordained teachers when they are at least 14 years old. A teacher has all the responsibilities of a deacon. A teacher follows counsel, sets a good example, and may (1) prepare the sacrament, (2) "watch over the church always, and be with and strengthen them" (D&C 20:53), (3) serve as a home teacher, (4) "see that there is no iniquity in the church, neither hardness with each other, neither lying, backbiting, nor evil speaking" (D&C 20:54), (5) "see that the church meet together often, and . . . that all the members do their duty" (D&C 20:55), (6) usher reverently in ward meetings and stake conference, (7) assist the bishopric, and (8) participate in seminary, where available.

• Priest

Worthy brethren may be ordained priests when they are at least 16 years old. A priest has all the responsibilities of a deacon and teacher. A priest follows counsel, sets a good example, and may (1) "preach, teach, expound, exhort, . . . and visit the house of each member, and exhort them to pray vocally and in secret and attend to all family duties" (D&C 20:46-47), (2) "administer the sacrament" (D&C 20:46) by worthily officiating at the sacrament table and offering the sacrament prayers when authorized (see D&C 20:77, 79), (3) baptize when authorized by the bishop (see D&C 20:46), (4) confer the Aaronic Priesthood and ordain deacons, teachers, and priests when authorized by the bishop (see D&C 20:48), and (7) assist the bishopric.

• Bishop

The office of bishop is the highest in the Aaronic Priesthood. The bishop is the president of the priests quorum, the president of the Aaronic Priesthood, and the presiding high priest in the ward.

Quorums and Quorum Leadership

Stake Aaronic Priesthood Leadership

• Stake Presidency

Members of the stake presidency oversee the Aaronic Priesthood in the stake. They direct efforts to accomplish the purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood. They also (1) instruct bishoprics in their responsibilities and receive an accounting, (2) preside over the stake Aaronic Priesthood committee and the stake Aaronic Priesthood-Young Women committee, (3) oversee the stake Young Men organization, and (4) oversee Scouting in the stake.

• High Council Adviser

The stake president assigns a high councilor to advise, encourage, and assist the stake Young Men presidency. The high councilor (1) counsels regularly with the stake Young Men presidency about the progress and needs of young men in the stake and informs the stake presidency of these matters, (2) should be in attendance when the assigned counselor in the stake presidency meets with the stake Young Men presidency, and attends stake Young Men presidency meetings as invited, (3) serves on the stake Aaronic Priesthood committee and stake Aaronic Priesthood-Young Women committee, (4) as invited, helps the stake presidency plan and present instruction for Aaronic Priesthood leaders in stake priesthood leadership meetings, and (5) helps plan stake Young Men activities and participates in them as appropriate.

• Stake Young Men Presidency

Under the direction of the stake presidency, the stake Young Men presidency (1) directs the stake Young Men organization's efforts to accomplish the purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood, (2) instructs and advises ward Young Men presidencies as requested by the bishopric or directed by the stake presidency, (3) plans and conducts stake Young Men presidency meetings, (4) meets regularly with a counselor in the stake presidency and the high council adviser, and (5) as invited, helps the stake presidency plan and present instruction for Aaronic Priesthood leaders in stake priesthood leadership meetings.

The stake Young Men president serves on the stake council. All members of the presidency serve on the stake Aaronic Priesthood-Young Women committee. As invited, they attend meetings of the stake Aaronic Priesthood committee. They oversee the records, reports, and finances of the stake Young Men organization. They recommend a detailed stake Young Men budget to the stake presidency before the beginning of the year and ensure that approved funds are spent wisely and according to Church policy.

• Stake Young Men Secretary

The stake Young Men secretary assists the presidency as needed. He (1) consults with the presidency to prepare agendas for their meetings, (2) attends these meetings and keeps minutes, (3) keeps other records and prepares reports as the presidency requests, (4) may help prepare the annual stake Young Men budget and account for expenditures of approved funds, (5) serves as a member of the stake Aaronic Priesthood-Young Women committee, (6) as invited, attends stake priesthood leadership meetings, and (7) may help instruct ward Young Men secretaries.

Ward Aaronic Priesthood Leadership

• Bishopric

The bishopric is the presidency of the Aaronic Priesthood in the ward (see D&C 107:15). Members of the bishopric watch over and nurture each Aaronic Priesthood holder, helping him accomplish the purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood. They work closely with parents and other leaders in this effort.

• Bishop

The bishop as quorum president (1) promotes a spirit of love and unity in the quorum, (2) regularly attends and presides over quorum presidency meetings and Sunday quorum meetings, (3) regularly participates in quorum service and activities, (4) builds quorum leadership by overseeing and instructing his assistants, and (5) interviews his assistants regularly to discuss, among other things, the progress of each quorum member.

Although the bishop delegates many responsibilities to his assistants, he should serve personally and actively as quorum president. In his absence, he designates one of his assistants to assume quorum leadership responsibilities. In branches, the branch president acts as the president of the priests quorum.

The bishop also oversees Aaronic Priesthood ordinations and presides over the ward Aaronic Priesthood committee and the bishopric youth committee.

• Bishop and His Counselors

The bishop is assisted by his counselors in the following responsibilities: (1) oversee the deacons and teachers quorums, (2) regularly attend quorum presidency meetings and Sunday quorum meetings, (3) regularly participate in quorum service and activities, (4) build quorum leadership by overseeing and instructing quorum presidencies, (5) interview quorum presidents regularly to discuss, among other things, the progress of each quorum member, (6) call and instruct quorum leaders, (6) interview young men, (7) oversee the ward Young Men organization, (8) instruct the ward Young Men presidency in their responsibilities, (9) oversee Scouting, and (10) assign teachers and priests to serve as home teachers.

• Ward Young Men Presidency (Aaronic Priesthood Quorum Advisers)

Under the direction of the bishopric, members of the ward Young Men presidency (Aaronic Priesthood quorum advisers) (1) minister to individual young men in the ward, helping them grow spiritually by loving, serving, and teaching them, (2) give special attention to new members and less-active young men, (3) strengthen young men in their families, (4) encourage young men to seek their parents' counsel and to support their families' wholesome activities, (5) should support the parent-child relationship, not compete with it or substitute for it, (6) direct the efforts of the ward Young Men organization to accomplish the purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood and ensure that it is organized and functioning properly, (7) give gospel instruction in Sunday quorum meetings, (8) complete the Teaching the Gospel course and plan and participate in teacher improvement meetings, (9) help the bishopric build quorum unity, (10) build quorum leadership by teaching quorum presidencies their duties, (11) attend quorum presidency meetings, (12) work with quorum leaders to plan and carry out weekly Mutual activities for the quorum, (13) if Scout units are organized, serve as adult Scout leaders unless the bishopric has called assistant quorum advisers to do so, (14) work with quorum leaders to plan monthly combined activities with the young women, (15) hold regular presidency meetings, and (16) meet regularly with a counselor in the bishopric.

The ward Young Men president serves on the ward priesthood executive committee, ward council, ward welfare committee, and bishopric youth committee. All members of the presidency serve on the ward Aaronic Priesthood committee. For more information, see "Gospel Teaching and Leadership," section 16 of the Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2: Priesthood and Auxiliary Leaders (1998), 317-19.

The ward Young Men president oversees the records, reports, and finances of the ward Young Men organization. He ensures that attendance reports are accurate, complete, and on time. He and his counselors recommend a detailed ward Young Men budget to the bishopric before the beginning of the year. They ensure that approved funds are spent wisely and according to Church policy.

• Assistant Quorum Advisers

The bishopric may call assistant advisers for each quorum as needed. Assistant advisers serve under the direction of quorum advisers and may be asked to share many of the advisers' responsibilities. The bishopric may also call assistant advisers to serve as adult Scout leaders.

Assistant advisers should complete the Teaching the Gospel course. They also should participate in teacher improvement meetings.

• Scout Leaders

If Scout units are organized, the bishopric generally calls members of the ward Young Men presidency to serve as Scout leaders (such as Scoutmaster, Varsity coach, and Venturing adviser, in the United States). Or instead, the bishopric may call assistant quorum advisers to serve as adult Scout leaders. For more information, see the Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2: Priesthood and Auxiliary Leaders (1998), 187, and the Scouting Handbook.

• Ward Young Men Secretary

The ward Young Men secretary assists the presidency as needed. He (1) consults with the presidency to prepare agendas for their meetings, (2) attends these meetings and keeps minutes, (3) oversees quorum secretaries in keeping quorum attendance records, (4) may help the presidency prepare the annual ward Young Men budget and account for expenditures of approved funds, (5) serves on the ward Aaronic Priesthood committee, (6) as invited, attends stake priesthood leadership meetings, and (7) instructs quorum secretaries.

• Quorum Presidencies

Aaronic Priesthood quorum presidents are given the keys to administer the work of the quorums over which they preside. Quorum leaders should follow the counsel and instruction of the bishopric and the quorum adviser. They report regularly to the bishopric on the progress of each quorum member.

Quorum leaders (1) preside over the quorum, (2) teach quorum members their duties and help them accomplish the purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood (see D&C 107:85-87), (3) watch over and fellowship quorum members and other young men of quorum age, (4) strive to develop love, brotherhood, and loyalty among quorum members, (5) provide opportunities for priesthood assignments, leadership experiences, and spiritual growth, (6) have a special responsibility to watch over and fellowship new quorum members, unordained young men of quorum age, less-active quorum members, and members who have disabilities or other special needs, (7) preside over quorum presidency meetings and Sunday quorum meetings, (8) help plan quorum activities, (9) serve on committees, (10) visit the Primary class for 11-year-old boys, and (11) keep records.